There are some spots that I just love for a lazy lunch, or an early dinner. A glass of wine, great company, and nibbles to pick at whilst we catch up, put the world to rights, and yeah, probably more nibbly things because talking gives you an appetite. You have all the time in the world to enjoy each others company and that of the food in front of you. One of those spots where you don’t need to worry, you know you’re going to have a good time.
Australasia is one of those, and what better way to combine the opportunity for a big catch up, than a new menu?
For those who haven’t stepped into the glass pyramid on Deansgate, let me guide you in. Downstairs is a bar to your left (where I once had a poor chap climbing to reach a new gin), and in front of you lies the restaurant itself, with lots of white wood, comfy seating, and if you need something a little more intimate, small private dining areas to one side. At the back, bathed in a yellow glow is the kitchen, giving you teasing glimpses of the chefs at work.
The menu itself is an ecelectic blend of pacific and eastern cuisines. Sushi, noodles, lots of fresh seafood, it’s ideal for picky eaters an stick to their own selections, or people like me and my date can sample a little of everything.
We began with a little indulgence – oysters. After all, when you can get them this fresh, and plated so prettily, why not?
I loved the freshness of the flavours that accompanied it, and the lotus root crisp added a little crunchy texture. It was a little too much for my date, but just the wake up my palate needed after hours drinking tea in the office.
Onto our mutual selections, we went for classics, such as their somewhat addictive edamame, through to the rather intriguing Korean chicken tempura rolls and the not to be resisted tempura vegetables.
The vegetables are crisp in their light batter (which is why I always have them), the tempura rolls were a new one – sushi rolls, in this case with Korean fried chicken, dipped in a tempura batter and fried. Whilst they won’t take the place of something a little more traditional for me, I can certainly see their appeal. Tempura is delicious, so is sushi. This is taking the best bits of both and merging them together.
Onto two definitely meaty dishes, the Yakitori chicken and the Mongolian lamb cutlets with Asian slaw. The former were sticky, tender and lovely, but it was the lamb that proved an absolute winner. Tender, spicy, the slaw cut through the richness and I suspect next time I may just have a plate of these to myself rather than sharing.
Our final two dishes (before pudding) were a little lighter in nature. Roasted scallops with cauliflower purée and wakame pickle, and pork wontons with sweetcorn purée, dotted with sriracha, and sesame soy. Again with this selection there was a stand out, the pork wontons being lovely, but the soft, sweet, just done scallops were just delightful.
And so to pudding. My date eschewed something sweet, and instead requested another pot of edamame beans (they really are addictive). As for me, I wanted something sweet, but light, so went for a fruity little number – saffron poached pear, with basil, strawberry and soya vanilla ice cream. And at the urging of my date the wine pairing too, the Durbanville sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.
The dessert was light, fruity, the ice cream one of the best made with soya that I’ve had. Admittedly, the pear was a little firm (I sourced an extra knife to assist) but this was a mere trifle (pun intended) when you added in the wine pairing. The sparkling white intensified the pear notes, and the vanilla of the ice cream. I’m not a big pudding fan, I don’t have a particularly sweet tooth, but this was light, balanced, and just the reminder makes me want to go back and have it again.
Anyone for a date?
This meal and accompanying drinks were supplied for free by Australasia. As ever, this doesn’t guarantee a positive review (if anything, I tend to be a harsher critic).
As ever, the service was fabulous, and the food great, I may not be 100% certain over the battered sushi, but maybe I just need to try more to be convinced!